Fiji military administration to vet nomineees for any future general election

A senior Fiji military officer says none of the people found to be involved in corrupt practices during the current clean-up campaign should be allowed to contest the next general election.

Radio Legend says this is the view of the commander of the Third Battalion Fiji Infantry Regiment, Lt Col Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara, whose troops are responsible for the security of the Greater Suva area.

Lt Col Mara says any ousted ministers found to be involved in corruption should not be allowed to nominate for elections.

He says he told the ousted SDL minister who was summoned to the military camp last week, Losena Salabula, that no corrupt ministers will be allowed to come back into power.

Lt Col Mara says Mrs Salabula was brought in because he needed clarification on meetings she had attended where issues were discussed which raised security concerns.

Meanwhile, the deposed prime minister, Laisenia Qarase, says the military should understand that those convicted of crimes and sentenced to more than 12 months in jail cannot stand for elections under the current law

Mr Qarase says apart from that it is everybody's right to stand for parliament.